03-25-2025 Forces in Our Everyday Lives

A ball is rolling on a flat surface and eventually comes to a stop. Which force is primarily responsible for stopping the ball?

• Gravity

• Friction

• Magnetism

• Normal force

A magnet is placed near a pile of paper clips. Describe the process and reasoning behind how the paper clips are attracted to the magnet.

• The magnet creates a gravitational pull that attracts the paper clips.

• The magnet exerts a magnetic force that aligns the domains in the paper clips, causing them to be attracted.

• The magnet applies a normal force that pushes the paper clips towards it.

• The magnet uses friction to pull the paper clips closer.

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A book is resting on a table. Identify and explain the forces acting on the book.

• Only gravity is acting on the book, pulling it downwards.

• Gravity pulls the book downwards, and the normal force from the table pushes it upwards.

• Friction is the only force acting on the book, keeping it in place.

• Magnetism is acting on the book, holding it to the table.

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A person pushes a shopping cart with a constant force. Explain why the cart moves at a constant speed.

• The applied force is greater than the frictional force, causing constant acceleration.

• The applied force is equal to the frictional force, resulting in no net force and constant speed.

• Gravity is the only force acting on the cart, causing it to move.

• The normal force is greater than the applied force, keeping the speed constant.

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Explain how gravity and normal force interact when a person is standing still on the ground.

• Gravity pulls the person upwards, and the normal force pushes them downwards.

• Gravity pulls the person downwards, and the normal force from the ground pushes them upwards, balancing the forces.

• Gravity and normal force both push the person sideways.

• Gravity and normal force do not interact in this scenario.

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A car is moving up a hill. Discuss the forces acting on the car and how they affect its motion.

• Only gravity acts on the car, pulling it down the hill.

• The applied force from the engine moves the car up, while gravity and friction resist its motion.

• Magnetism pulls the car up the hill.

• The normal force pushes the car up the hill.

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A magnet is used to lift a metal object. Explain the forces involved in this process.

• The magnet uses gravity to lift the object.

• The magnet applies a magnetic force that overcomes gravity, lifting the object.

• Friction between the magnet and the object lifts it.

• The normal force from the magnet lifts the object.

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A person slides down a slide. Describe the forces acting on the person and how they influence the motion.

• Only gravity acts on the person, pulling them down the slide.

• Gravity pulls the person down, while friction between the slide and the person slows them down.

• Magnetism pulls the person down the slide.

• The normal force pushes the person down the slide.

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A box is being pushed across a rough surface. Explain how friction affects the motion of the box.

• Friction increases the speed of the box.

• Friction opposes the applied force, reducing the speed of the box.

• Friction has no effect on the motion of the box.

• Friction pulls the box in the direction of the applied force.

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A spacecraft is in orbit around Earth. Discuss the forces acting on the spacecraft and how they maintain its orbit.

• Only gravity acts on the spacecraft, pulling it towards Earth.

• Gravity pulls the spacecraft towards Earth, while its velocity keeps it in orbit.

• Magnetism keeps the spacecraft in orbit.

• The normal force from space keeps the spacecraft in orbit.

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